<p>Hi everyone. It is about the time when we are choosing our classes for next year, and I need some help picking some classes. Everyone takes IB Chemistry as a Sophomore, and then usually IB Physics as a Junior. I was wondering if I could get any suggestions on if I should take Ib Chemistry and IB Physics simultaneously. Would this be too much of a work load?</p>
<p>My Schedule Would Be As Follows If I were To Take Physics.</p>
<p>IB Physics 1
IB Chemistry 1
IB Math SL 1
Pre-IB English 10
Pe-IB Comparative Government
Spanish 3
Band</p>
<p>I am also a basketball player, which takes up many hours after school. Is it too much?</p>
<p>IB Chem and IB Physics, at least at my school, is a nearly impossible courseload, and those who do it are math and science geniuses. It also takes up a lot of time and would be difficult with basketball, particularly since you say it takes up many hours after school.</p>
<p>It will be a lot. The only people at my school who have been able to handle it, GPA’s intact, are straight-A kids whose only ECs are science based.</p>
<p>Both Chem HL and Phys HL together is a very hard courseload. Doable but you have to be pretty smart in maths. I’m doing Chem HL and Phys SL and I’m surviving (should end up with 7/7 or a 7/6 by May). </p>
<p>Oh wait. Is this IB diploma or middle year? =/</p>
<p>On another note, thanks for reminding me I have a mock chem paper 2 tomorrow. Stupid finals.</p>
<p>^ IB Chem 1 sounds like PreIB Chem 1 from what I understand. If it is the REAL IB class and if 1 higher level and the other isn’t, do it. About 35 people in my school take Physics HL and chem SL and get As in both. I prefer chem personally. I love that class. :)</p>
<p>Being me, I would attempt to take both because I enjoy challenging classes, especially ones having to do with mathematics or the sciences. The fact of the matter is that you should only take both classes if you belive you are capable of achieving high-end grades in both.</p>
<p>The International Baccalaureate Organization does not allow you to take more than two exams at the HL or SL levels when you are an anticipated candidate (11th grader) Therefore you must drop one of your choices. Also, I have never heard a school allowing people to take IB Chemistry I HL or SL at the 10th grade. I am in IB Chemistry 2 AHL (advanced Higher Level) and it is very very difficult. My total lab hours are about 150 hours worth of lab/internal assessment portfolio work and also since my Extended Essay was registered in Chemistry. Therefore, this leads me to believe it is Pre-IB Chemistry 1 since you need very good math skills and previous chemistry coursework to be able to take on this course. If you choose all three, you will not be able to take all three IB Exam papers in May and you could lose your chance at the IB Diploma…</p>
<p>Well, if you’re a math/science person and you put a lot if work in then I don’t see why not. It’s hard but not impossible. I’m kind of doing the same except I’ll be taking Chem HL and Honors Physics so obviously my courseload is a little easier but if you want to then I say go for it!</p>
<p>Just a question though. How does your school let you do IB classes as a sophomore?!? I thought it had to be junior and senior year, at least for the diploma.</p>
<p>Well, my school allows me to take it because I’m a “exception” (whatever that means). Also, I’m doing P.E over the summer to be able to take this class (fit into my schedule). And yes it is pre-IB Chemistry 1 (But our school calls it IB Chemistry 1 for some odd reason), but Physics is actually IB Physics 1 (not SL nor HL, just 1). Just out of curiosity, how advance in math do you need to be to be able to take physics. Do you need to have completed algebra 2, or do you have to be taking it at the same time?</p>
<p>As a junior I’m taking AP Physics B and AP Chem at the same time and it’s not TOO bad. I have an A in physics and an A+ in chem. However, chemistry is very easy for me so I basically only have to study for physics. It’s your choice. If you enjoy science and are good at it, it won’t be too much work because it will be enjoyable. I actually have fun taking AP Chem tests (lol what?)… physics is a different story XD. I don’t know how AP compares to IB though sorry.</p>
<p>You pretty much just need to know how to solve equations, so basic algebra, for non-calc based physics. I’m assuming IB Physics 1 is comparable to AP Physics B.</p>
<p>Ok, then since you are taking Pre-IB Chemistry, go ahead if you so choose. However, you should have good algebra/pre-calc skills since when I did PIB Chemistry I, we covered equilibrium and that required some knowledge of logarithms. However, I think you should be fine. If I were you, taking IB Chemistry requires a lot of time to study and maintain your knowledge, since by the time you reach my grade level you will take IB Chemistry Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3 at HL. Therefore I recommend you always review constantly and make sure you master you topics especially if you pursue AHL…</p>
<p>My son is in 10th grade at an IB-only school and takes Physics and Chemistry. Next year he is taking Physics SL and Biology SL which then lead to HL in both. Taking the two sciences at his school through 12th grade is the norm. All students in his school are expected to be Diploma candidates.</p>